ScienceSeptember 1, 2026
olivary
OL-ih-vair-ee
Definition
Relating to the olive, an oval-shaped structure in the brainstem, specifically referring here to the inferior olivary nucleus, which is involved in relaying sensory and motor information to the cerebellum.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'oliva' (olive), due to the physical resemblance of the brain structure to the shape of an olive. The term was adopted into medical anatomy to describe these specific brainstem nuclei.
In the news
The article uses the term to identify specific neurons in the brain that, when activated by psychedelics, disrupt sensory gating and contribute to the psychedelic experience.
Scientists May Have Misjudged How Psychedelics Work
Read the full article ↗Technology Networks